The issue of economic growth versus environmental conservation can also be seen as developed countries vs developing ones. Industrial countries such as the USA and Germany have depended upon polluting industries for their wealth. Now they fear that uncontrolled economic development in the Third World will lead to environmental disaster. They point out that massive clearing of tropical rainforest for farming threatens biodiversity and may affect the global climate. At the same time relying upon heavy industry adds more pollution to the air, soil and water sources, while a richer population demands more energy, often produced from burning dirty fossil fuels such as coal. Developing countries such as China and Brazil point out that they must make industrialisation and economic development a priority because they have to support their growing populations. Developing countries must address current problems; they cannot afford to worry about the distant future. They also point out that as First World countries are most to blame for current environmental damage, it is unfair to demand that developing nations limit their own growth to solve these problems.

This House believes development trumps the environmentThis House believes that going green can wait until we can afford itThis House believes that economic development should always take priority over environmental concerns in both the First and Third WorldsThat economic growth, even at the expense of some environmental damage, is justified by the need to feed the rising world populationThis House believes “to get rich is glorious”

The issue of economic growth versus environmental conservation can also be seen as developed countries vs developing ones. Industrial countries such as the USA and Germany have depended upon polluting industries for their wealth. Now they fear that uncontrolled economic development in the Third World will lead to environmental disaster. They point out that massive clearing of tropical rainforest for farming threatens biodiversity and may affect the global climate. At the same time relying upon heavy industry adds more pollution to the air, soil and water sources, while a richer population demands more energy, often produced from burning dirty fossil fuels such as coal. Developing countries such as China and Brazil point out that they must make industrialisation and economic development a priority because they have to support their growing populations. Developing countries must address current problems; they cannot afford to worry about the distant future. They also point out that as First World countries are most to blame for current environmental damage, it is unfair to demand that developing nations limit their own growth to solve these problems.
This House believes development trumps the environment
This House believes that going green can wait until we can afford it
This House believes that economic development should always take priority over environmental concerns in both the First and Third Worlds
That economic growth, even at the expense of some environmental damage, is justified by the need to feed the rising world population
This House believes “to get rich is glorious”
Pros:
Rapid industrialisation does not have to put more pressure on the environment. Scientific advances have made industries much less polluting. And developing countries can learn from the environmental mistakes of the developed world’s industrial revolution, and from more recent disasters in communist countries such as China and the USSR. For example, efficient new steelworks use much less water, raw materials and power, while producing much less pollution than traditional factories. And nuclear generating plants can provide more energy than coal while contributing far less to global warming. We are also exploring alternative, renewable types of energy such as solar, wind and hydro-power.
Cons:
Scientific progress has made people too confident in their abilities to control their environment. In just half a century the world’s nuclear industry has had at least three serious accidents: Windscale (UK, 1957), Three Mile Island (USA, 1979), and Chernobyl (USSR, 1986). In addition, the nuclear power industry still cannot store its waste safely. Hydro-power sounds great but damming rivers is itself damaging to the environment. It also forces huge numbers of people off their land – as in China’s 3 Gorges project.

Firstly I am not against Economic growth. But I believe Environment needs a lot of importance, it is actually asking for lot of importance by creating various things like earthquake and tsunamis.. How long can we ignore the call. What will we do with all the economic growth if our planet would be at the verge of perishing?? We need to do something which combines both , like industries who follow go green concept.

let us not fall into that trap of shunning development for preservation of the environment. development is our first priority. for that we have exploit the environment.By
m k mathai, senior manager, canara bank , broadway ekm
| 10 06 2014 13:49:22 +0000

To survive prosperously on Earth, We need resources(call it Economy). From the days of Yore, people were, constantly, looking for materials to sustain survival. They were taming environment to accrue economy. In a similar vein, we need to foster economical growth with amenable environ to enrich it.

Environmental Awareness & System Management concept 14000 series , all developed, very recently, to regulate the Industrial growth. Because, humans are ,now skillful, in using environment to benefit one's living. So, what we need to do, at this point of time, is to avoid misuse of Environmental Aspects. Or technically saying that, the Environmental Aspect study need to have, reasonably less Impact on it (EIA). All system management (ISO 9000, OSHA 18000,EMS 14000) , advise you to manage the technology & Industry within the frame Work , so that the Economy is maintained. So it is very clear, from these system that we accepted to our betterment, advocate Economical growth with skillful management. It is not focusing on Environment. So from these theories, I feel that Economy is to be given importance.

Nevertheless, adopt system elements as required today for a better environ management with growing concern on Economy.

Actually we need a balance of both. Economic development in a safe environment. It is not impossible, it just needs will power on behalf of the rulers of the day and the people involved. Caring for the environment should be made a priority from day one in designing any project or taking up development activity.By
Jaygopal Raghavan, Marketing Manager, Landmark Group
| 06 07 2011 07:56:04 +0000

Well a nice topic for a healthy debate...I think present scenerio is getting worst day by day. What is happening today has crossed all the limits. I am strong supporter of economic growth but it should be sustainable...it should be environment friendly or should cause least damage to environment. Now when we see the development works in developing countries like India we all are aware about the importance of environment, we have seperate ministry looking after environment but sorry to say there is nothing productive going on at the moment...we need development but we also need a healthy environment for survival, we have to grow without harming the environment. So I totally support that there is a big need of protecting environment because we only have two options either short advanced life with all growth or steady good life with long span of earth..By
Gurpreet Singh, Team Associate, BA Continuum Solutions
| 06 12 2011 18:12:26 +0000

Humans have already played a lot with the environment and now the environment is asking for its dues. Economic development always comes after survival. we should also think about next generation. There should always be a balance between both or survival on earth will become a huge problem which has already started.By
Gurleen Kaur, CMD, GKM IT & Engineering
| 06 12 2011 16:18:49 +0000

First of all we must be previal in this earth due to global warming,green hose effect,ozone layer depletion and so on.Economy is developing but we are lacking to safeguard ourself to live a full quota of life spanBy
VIMALAN , DIRECTOR, VIRGIN ENGINEERS
| 06 12 2011 14:50:51 +0000

I just want to share a very good lines which is very perfectly suited the situation like this one.... " BARE HUYE TO KYA HUA, JAISE TAAR KHAJUR, PANCHI KO CHAYA NAHI , PHAL LAGE ATI DUR " So, if our economic development is very good and environment is not good then what is the benefit of these types of development, In todays circumstances and condition we have to SURVIVE FIRST then anything else, thats why we need to protect our environment more than anything else.... By
Anupam Anand, Back Office Executive, Jyothy Laboratories limited
| 06 08 2011 06:58:31 +0000

Thanks Gargi for referral.Economic developement is essential and very natural.I dont think there is any conflict between two.We should be mostly concerned about the protection of environment and it can be done.When a project starts initial environmental survey gives the data how the environment will be affected and experts suggest the precautionary measures.Unfortunately people used to overlook the issue unconciously or rather conciously do not follow mainly to save the cost of project.Even they dont bother for plantation which is not at all costly compared to project cost.Industrial houses definitely should follow the statutary guidlines.If there is a problem there is a solution also if we sincerely want.Law enforcing instituions have a major role to honestly monitor this. By
Sabyasachi Dasgupta, Project Manager, Ajayraj constructions Pvt Ltd
| 06 07 2011 08:28:09 +0000

Wise men learn from others' mistakes fools from their own. We should not follow the obsolete technology of the developed nations but learn from their mistakes. Economic growth can be achieved and development activities carried out even by adhering to environment protection norms. We should catch up with the developed nations and apply our research to develop efficient use of eco-friendly techniques in areas of power generation, food processing, solar energy, wind energy and alternate fuels for transport.

Sheetal the industrial growth will be natural for us since we are in developing stage but if you observe recent actions all these are done after taking care of environment. That is the reason I have mentioned to take a middle path.

Thanks,Sheetal for referral.i am puting my argument across the forum.There is no doubt that there is genuine concern for maintaining Eco-balance.The advance countries are primarily responsible for all the mess.You can not over look the growth.At the same time a congenial environment has to be maintained.It therefor suggests that you must strike a balance.But India could ill afford in view of China show casing their economic strength.By
Mohammad Bakhsh, Consultant(Civil), Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
| 06 07 2011 04:08:47 +0000

All these years - the last century or so - we have supported economic development with near disregard for the environment. I think it is time to provide emphasis almost exclusively for the environment so that eventually the pendulum will swing with a balance. We need to re-look at the "costs" of development....the price that we pay for it. The balance is well....out of balance at present.By
RAMESH KANDADAI, Principal Consultant, ARM Consultants
| 06 07 2011 03:44:59 +0000

hello Gargi,there will be no kind of any development of any kind if there is no natural environment.environment should be as it is designed.By
jairaj shyam prasad, Production Manager, BOSCH Ltd
| 06 06 2011 13:12:15 +0000

How many times have you heard people say that to succeed in life you need to have confidence in your own ability? Nothing in life is difficult if you know how to believe in yourself in any situation. Most people have this misconception that...